The State of Nevada Legislature passed a cottage food bill in 2013 (SB206) which later became Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 446.866. This bill allowed for certain foods to be prepared from a person’s private residence, providing that person has registered as a cottage food operator.
NRS 446.866 has now been replaced with NRS 580.600, which is in effect until June 30, 2027.
Cottage foods are limited to where, how, and to whom they can be sold.
Information and an application are available to register in Clark County at Cottage Food Operations.
To register in Nevada counties outside of Clark County, you must contact the respective agency to inquire about their procedures and policies.
- Carson City Health and Human Services – (775) 887-2190
- Northern Nevada Public Health (Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County) – (775) 328-2434
- Central Nevada Health District (Fallon, Churchill County, Mineral County, Eureka County, and Pershing County) – (775) 867-8181
All other areas – Nevada Department of Agriculture Food Program– (775) 353-3758
The State of Nevada Legislature passed a cottage food bill in 2013 (SB206) which later became Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 446.866.
The Nevada Department of Agriculture becomes the registering authority for the entirety of Nevada effective July 1, 2027, under NRS 585.700-770. As information is available, it will be posted on the NDA’s website, Food Safety Program.
As part of the upcoming administrative transition, NRS 446 was repealed and those sections currently affecting cottage food were codified under NRS 580.600, which is in effect until June 30, 2027. The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) remains the current registering authority for cottage foods made or sold in Clark County, NV.
Registered cottage food operators found operating outside the requirements and limitations of NRS 580.600 will be considered as an unpermitted vendor. Food products may be confiscated or destroyed, and applicable government agencies may be notified.
No, a cottage food operator must register the operation with the registering health authority/food safety authority. Nevada law (NRS 580.600 and NRS 580.050) excludes a cottage food operation from the definition of a “food establishment.”
Cottage foods can be sold in Clark County at a special event (such as a craft fair) or licensed farmers market without a permit provided that only properly registered, prepared, packaged, and labeled food items are sold. Approval from the event coordinator or market manager is required.
To sell in Nevada counties outside of Clark County, you must contact the respective agency to inquire about registration procedures and policies.
- Carson City Health and Human Services – (775) 887-2190
- Northern Nevada Public Health (Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County) – (775) 328-2434
- Central Nevada Health District (Fallon, Churchill County, Mineral County, Eureka County, and Pershing County) – (775) 867-8181
All other areas – Nevada Department of Agriculture Food Program– (775) 353-3758
The Nevada Legislature [NRS 580.600.7(b)] limited cottage food items exclusively to nuts and nut mixes; candies; jams, jellies and preserves; vinegar and flavored vinegar; dry herbs and seasoning mixes; dried fruits; cereals, trail mixes and granola; popcorn and popcorn balls; or baked goods that are not potentially hazardous foods, baked goods that do not contain cream, uncooked egg, custard, meringue or cream cheese frosting or garnishes; and baked goods that do not require time or temperature controls for food safety. All food items must be packaged in the home prior to transport and sale and be labeled properly.
Candies do not include cream-based chocolates such as ganache and truffles.
Jams, jellies, and preserves must be “standardized” recipes and contain only the fruits as described in 21 CFR 150—FRUIT BUTTERS, JELLIES, PRESERVES, AND RELATED PRODUCTS. Fruit butter is not allowed. Sugar-free or no sugar added jams or jellies are not allowed.
Flavored vinegar must be strained or filtered prior to bottling and may not contain any flavoring components including but not limited to herbs, pieces of fruits or vegetables, and fruit rinds.
Herbs are limited to those commonly used to flavor food. Medicinal herbs are not allowed.
Dried fruits must be made from low acid fruits. Fruits that require time or temperature controls for food safety when cut are not allowed (for example: melons are not allowed). Fruits that are high acid/low pH may be freeze dried.
Baked goods cannot contain cream-based frostings, cream-based ganache, cream cheese filling, cream cheese frosting, buttercream that contains egg (such as Swiss, Italian, French buttercreams), Chantilly style frostings, custards (such as lemon bars, pumpkin filling/pie, pecan filling/pie, sweet potato filling/pie), or fresh fruit toppings/garnishes.
Additions to baked goods (inside or on top) must result in a non-potentially hazardous food. Animal products are not allowed. Hard cheeses must be grated and used sparingly. Soft cheeses are not allowed. Fruits and vegetables must be cut very small or grated. Acidified vegetables (such as jalapeño peppers) must be commercially manufactured.
Baked goods must be cooked with dry heat such as baked in an oven or cooked on a hot skillet. Cooking by frying and steaming are not allowed.
In 2015, the Nevada Legislature passed a craft food bill under the jurisdiction of the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) which allows certain acidified and pickled foods to be made in a private home. This law is not part of the cottage food law. Please contact the NDA for more information.
The cost of a cottage food operation registration is on the last page of the Environmental Health Fee Schedule which is updated annually on July 1st under “MISCPR – COTTAGE FOOD OPERATION REGISTRATION”.
The CURRENT fee is $220, and is only applicable through June 30, 2027.
The Nevada Legislature [NRS 580.600.1(b)] limited the sales of cottage foods to a person for their own consumption.
Cottage food cannot be sold by consignment, to a wholesaler, or to a permitted food establishment. Regarding permitted food establishments, cottage foods are considered food from an unapproved source and therefore prohibited to be served or sold in a permitted food establishment.
An in-person transaction from your home or at a flea market, swap meet, church bazaar, garage sale, or craft fair. Cottage foods cannot be sold without a person-to-person exchange. Food cannot be ordered, such as an internet or telephone order, with the food item mailed or delivered by a third party. However, foods can be ordered for in-person delivery by the cottage food operator via telephone or internet.
The Nevada Legislature [NRS 580.600.7(a)] limited the gross food sales of cottage foods to no more than $100,000 per calendar year. Gross sales are the full amount received from customers without any deductions, including the cost of the ingredients.
The Nevada Legislature [NRS 580.600.1(a)] limited the sales of cottage foods to a direct person-to-person transaction at the home/private property of the cottage food operator, or at a licensed farmers market, flea market, swap meet, church bazaar, garage sale, or craft fair. The cottage law specifically prohibits selling food by telephone or via the internet.
A website/social media may be used for information and advertising but may not have an option for shipping.
SNHD registration does not expire if it remains accurate. You must contact SNHD if you move (private residence changes) or if you change either your personal or business name.
You must contact SNHD if you decide to expand your menu outside the categories of cottage food for which you are registered. For example, if you are registered for trail mix and want to start selling baked goods, a new registration is required. For example, if you are registered for cookies (baked goods category) and now want to make cakes or breads (baked goods category), a new registration is not necessary.
NOTE: ALL REGISTRATIONS with SNHD are no longer valid after June 30, 2027.
This is outside the authority of SNHD. Check with the local business license jurisdiction(s) where you plan to produce and sell cottage foods (such as Clark County Government, City of Las Vegas, City of Henderson, City of North Las Vegas, City of Boulder City) to verify the requirement. It is important to remember that a cottage food operation is not a permitted food establishment.
Yes; however, registration with SNHD is required to sell cottage foods in Clark County. As NRS 580.600 only applies within the state of Nevada, the cottage food operator must live and prepare the food items within the state.
This is due to the inherent risks that may be associated with non-allowable foods since they will not be inspected or regulated by Local/State/Federal health officials. The bill passed by the Nevada Legislature allows only the foods listed to be sold as cottage foods.
Yes, only if the samples are approved food items and are packaged in a food safe container/material in the home. All foods, including samples, must be pre-packaged at the point of production before transport to the point of sale.
The Nevada Legislature [NRS 580.600.1(c-e)] required all cottage foods to be prepackaged in the home and labeled in accordance with federal labeling requirements (21 U.S.C. § 343(w) and 9 C.F.R. Part 317 and 21 C.F.R. Part 101). In addition, the food must be clearly labeled “MADE IN A COTTAGE FOOD OPERATION THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENT FOOD SAFETY INSPECTION”.
It is the responsibility of the cottage food operator to ensure labels meet the federal requirements and are accurate. As of July 1, 2023, label review for cottage food is voluntary. The FDA Food labeling Guide summarizes requirements. You may also choose to use SNHD label review, a fee for service, for further assistance.